J’s Restaurant lease sage continues

LISA HOBBS - News Editor

The back-and-forth between Warren County Government and J’s Corporation over its restaurant lease at Three Star Mall is coming to an end. The corporation has until Sept. 21 to accept a monthly rent amount of $3,500.

Building and Grounds Committee members met tonight and rejected a counteroffered that mirrored their previous proposal. In July, members offered to drop the rent to $2,596 per month. Proposed by Finance Department Director Justin Cotten, that amount is $1.12 per square foot and included an additional .37 cents as a premium for an exclusivity clause within the contract.

The corporation counteroffered to drop the exclusivity clause and accept the county’s offer of .75 cents per square to bring down the rent to $1,576.50 monthly. Including dumpster fees would bring that amount up to $1,818.50 per month.

Despite being what they offered in July, committee members unanimously rejected the offer. They, then, approved $3,500 a month, which includes dumpster fees, and no exclusivity clause.

“We have been gracious,” said Commissioner Michael Bell. “We’ve been patient. I think it’s time to move on one way or another.”

J’s Restaurant paid past due dumpster fees totaling $1,936 today. It did not include September’s fees. Committee members unanimously agreed that if September’s are paid, the restaurant will receive a key to the dumpster but not until.

Legal counsel Attorney Robert Bratcher will draft a new lease agreement. He stated it should be ready by Thursday. J’s Corporation will be allowed to determine the length of that agreement, from one to five years.

In attendance at the meeting were Commissioners Bell, Scott Kelly, Cam Montgomery, Cole Taylor and Traye Cope. It is important to note that Taylor and Cope were not on the committee when members extended an offer of .75 cents with an additional .37 cents for exclusivity.